Tomorrow the Harriers kick off their FA Cup campaign for the season with the visit of high flying Corby Town from the Blue Square North. Currently occupying the fifth place slot the Steelmen could well be playing at a higher level next season and with a new ground now completed they could be seen as a replacement for the extinct Rushden & Diamonds.Until then they come to Aggborough looking to become a 'giantkiller'.
Playing for them is a former Harriers keeper and one that we could probably do with right now with our lack of keeper cover. Chris MacKenzie (right) played for us during the 07-08 season and is memorable for his mistakes with the worst ones coming in his debut at home to Torquay Utd. That game earned him a couple of nicknames like Calamity Chris and It's Behind You Chris. He did improve as he went along but still made the odd error at times.
Corby, who got to this stage after knocking out Hednesford in the previous round, will definitely be without Aynsley McDonald with a foot injury and the could also be without the services of Paul Malone after a recurrence of a groin injury which has already seen him miss the majority of the season.
All being well we should have some players back for the game. Lee Vaughan and Kyle Storer are certainly back in contention of a starting place following their recent suspensions and we could also see the return of Luke Jones and Dave Hankin following long term injury. The only players still on our horrendous injury list are Mike Williams and Jack Byrne with the word that Byrne could well be out until Christmas with his debilitating viral infection. Danny Lewis had his operation on Wednesday but he won't be seen until next season now.
This game should also be the first chance for home supporters to see David Bird, our new loan signing from Cheltenham, in action. It's to be hoped that he can bring a bit of creativity into the midfield.
This is a must win game for us because although we may be well placed for the play-offs it's no secret that we need to strengthen the already thin squad to make certain of that. To achieve that we need money and the £12,500 win bonus would come in handy for that.
It's about time we had a good cup run anyway but be certain that Corby will not be a pushover and we need to be totally up for this game. Anything else and we'll be out on our arse.
Photo © KHFC
Teams:
Harriers from:
Lyness, Vaughan, Sharpe, L Jones, Demetriou, Bird, Phelan, Briscoe, Marshall, Storer, Vincent, Hankin, Cresswell, Guinan, N Wright, Thompson-Brown, Matt, Gittings, Marc Williams, Medley.
Corby Town from:
W Jones, MacKenzie, Burgess, Gordon, Gulliver, Hibbert, Ives, Land, Malone, Mayo, Ozmen, Rhead, Rogan, J Smith, G Smith, Spruce, Towers, Reynolds.
Talk about the game here
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